Oprah Winfrey Show 'Like a Church' for Oak Forest Woman

Oprah is on the minds of many today as the very final Oprah show airs this morning—especially for Oak Forest resident Janine Perez, who has her own special 'O' moments to remember.

On Nov. 16, 2010, Perez was shocked to learn she was selected to be an audience member for Oprah’s “Favorite Things” Show—the annual event during which Oprah gives away all her favorite items that she uses daily to all the audience members in attendance.

“She [Oprah] came out in this hideous black dress and said that audience was filled with the country's doers, those who had given of themselves for the betterment of those around them and said that the show was dedicated to them,” Perez explained. “Then she ripped off her black dress to show a red dress and the sleigh bells began to ring.

"That’s when I knew for sure it was the Favorite Things show.”

As a young stay-at-home mother, Perez began to watch The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996 and said Oprah's shows educated her almost every day, and even inspired her last year to, a city commission that encourages residents, schools, government bodies and businesses to become more eco-conscious.

Perez knew this year would be her last chance to be an audience member. She pitched her case in a questionnaire on The Oprah Show website, stating why she was an ultimate fan, and how Oprah inspired her to form the Green Steps Commission. She was thrilled when she was selected to sit among Oprah's audience.

Perez was very humble about her experience on the show.

“While we were sitting in the waiting room, people started to talk to each other and we began to become awe stricken by each other,” she said. “I learned that some people there started orphanages, others started a food book bag program and another person raised money for school supplies for poverty-stricken families.”

She said she asked herself, “What am I doing here? These people are helping humanity. I just started Green Steps. It was very motivational to be there.”

During the show she received a seven-day cruise, a 3D TV, designer workout clothes, shoes, handbag and closet makeover.

Perez said her husband’s favorite was the cruise, her children’s favorite was the TV, but her favorite? The four pairs of Nike gym shoes she received.

“I never get a chance to buy myself a nice pair of gym shoes,” she laughed. “I just always have something else to buy.”

Perez said Wednesday's final episode will be rough to watch.

“It’s like a funeral for me. I was a young mother when I started watching her. The content of her shows educated me and made me a better person,” she said. “I’m a spiritualist, so Oprah is kind of like my church. It’s like I have no more church.”

“I guess I can always go to OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network on cable),” she laughed, “but that’s going to be a lifestyle change.”